Street Construction Closures

U.S. 31 work

Update on the Athens High School access improvements project.

The contractor is working in the median on U.S. 31 between Alabama 251 intersection and Philip Rivers Drive.

During construction, the contractor will have the inside lanes (northbound and southbound) closed. Weather permitting, the contractor will be finished with construction in this area in March.


Downtown Renovations for pedestrian safety and better handicap accessibility

Contractor started back on the Courthouse side on Jan. 9. Athens Water started back on Marion Street on Jan. 14. Project should be done by mid- to late-April, weather permitting. Go TAP Project for Downtown Athens page for detailed information.

North Jefferson Street sewer work


Wastewater Dept has North Jefferson closed from McClellan Street to Pryor and First Avenue from Marion to Madison through Thursday, March 19. Will reopen each day for evening traffic.

First Avenue Area Drainage Project

A contractor plans to start work on the First Avenue Area drainage improvement project while school is out for Spring Break.

Hawkins Groundwork will start on North Houston Street by Athens Elementary on Monday, March 18. Public Works Director James Rich said crews will block North Houston Street north of Pryor Street to through traffic but will make it accessible for residents.

Spring Break for Athens City Schools is March 18 through March 22.

The City of Athens received a $450,000 Community Development Block Grant through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to improve drainage in the area between Athens Elementary and Athens-Limestone Hospital. The city’s match is $159,560.

The project involves improvements to the drainage system along First Avenue, Horton Street and Hobbs Street in the First Avenue neighborhood. The project will improve drainage for over 150 single-family homes, two multi-family housing buildings, Athens Senior Center, a few medical businesses and Athens Elementary School. The work includes new reinforced concrete pipe, over 30 inlets and pavement work.

As the project progresses, it will impact various neighborhood streets. The contractor has 120 days to complete the project.

“During the major rainfall we recently received, the issue with drainage in this area from surface water was readily evident,” Mayor Ronnie Marks. “This area has issues even on a rainy day, much less a rain event.”


Spring 2019 paving projects

At the March 11 Athens City Council meeting, the Council authorized Mayor Ronnie Marks to issue a task order to Reed Contracting for spring paving projects totaling $795,000.

Public Works Director James Rich said the paving should start before the end of April and be complete by the end of May, weather permitting.

Funding for the projects will come from the capital infrastructure fund.

The projects are:

North Jefferson from Hobbs to Elm streets; mill and pave - $300,000

Durham Drive from Sanderfer Road to Steelcase; patch and pave - $100,00

Fifth Avenue from Jefferson to West Market streets; overlay pave - $125,000

Lucas Ferry Road from Sanderfer Road south to Moyers Road (cost share with Limestone County); overlay and pave - $150,000 (city portion)

Clinton Street from Washington to Forrest streets, including the intersection with Hobbs Street; mill and pave - $120,000

TOTAL: $795,000

Street closures due to events

These events have received permits:
  • April 27 from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Cars on The Square. Gates open at 7 a.m. but streets closed early to prepare: Jefferson, Marion, Market and Washington around The Square. Washington to the RR will also be closed. 
  • Sept. 14 from 7-10 a.m. - Travis Manion Foundation 5K; starts and ends at Veterans Museum and impacts Pryor, Marion, Washington,Hine, Houston, Third Avenue, Madison, and West Hobbs.
  • Sept. 21 from 7-10 a.m. - KALB Duck and Run 5K; starts and ends at Big Springs Park. Route impacts East, Washington, Forrest, Houston, First Avenue, Madison, Market, Marion and Beaty.
  • Oct. 18-19 from 5 p.m. on the 18th to 9 p.m. on the 19th - Marion and Washington closed.

ATRIP, TAP and other projects that will impact streets (estimated start dates)

The City of Athens coordinates with the Alabama Department of Transportation on these projects, and the dates are subject to change
  • Forrest Street bridges and resurfacing – The street east of U.S. 31 closed March 4, 2019, and will remain closed until summer 2020, weather permitting. This is to replace the two bridges over Swan Creek and make other safety improvements. Click here for more project info.
  • Alabama 251 roundabout – Wait until Forrest St bridges done. (State project)
  • Courthouse Square – Weather permitting, work should be complete by mid-April.
  • U.S. 31/Pryor Street Sidewalk – In the design phase.